Bangkok: High tides from June 15-18 are expected to affect seven provinces in the Chao Phraya basin, posing risks of flooding and saltwater intrusion, according to warnings issued by the National Water Resources Management Committee (NWRC).
According to Thai News Agency, the NWRC has cautioned that the influence of a relatively strong southwest monsoon will cause water levels to rise at river mouths and in low-lying areas along major rivers. This situation endangers communities outside flood protection dikes, which may face flooding. The provinces at risk include Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Songkhram.
The National Water Resources Office (NWRO) has been closely monitoring the situation, noting that the southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Southern Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand will lead to rising water levels at river mouths connecting to the sea. Low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, and Tha Chin rivers are particularly vulnerable, as are communities located outside flood barriers and areas lacking permanent flood protection. Transportation routes such as Sukhumvit Road, Suksawat Road, and Rama 2 Road may also be impacted by the rising water levels.
The NWRO emphasizes the need to monitor saltwater intrusion into raw water sources, as this could affect water quality for consumption, tap water production, and agriculture in the lower areas of the river basin. In response, the National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRA) has urged relevant agencies to prepare for the situation and to inform the public, especially those in at-risk areas, about the potential impacts of high tides and saltwater intrusion during this period.